India should not be allowed to use water as a weapon, PM says echo

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned on Friday that the Water weapon in India represents a “new and alarming trend” in its hostility towards Pakistan, qualifying it as a law of aggression that should not be tolerated under any circumstance.

When heading to the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Azerbaijan, the prime minister condemned the recent actions of India after his military escalation earlier this year.

He thanked the Eco Member States for their solidarity with Pakistan in the middle of the aggressive steps of New Delhi, including the unilateral suspension of the Indo Water Treaty, diplomatic sales and border closures.

Tensions increased after India accused Pakistan of orchestrating the April 22 attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead, an Islamabad accusation categorically rejected as without foundation.

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The crisis reached its maximum point in early May, when the missiles attack cities through Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in dozens of civilian casualties. Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, hitting Indian military facilities. On May 10, the Fire of the United States was announced.

Highlighting the regional impact of India’s actions, the prime minister criticized New Delhi’s challenge to the Indo Water Treaty mediated by the World Bank and his contempt for a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, qualifying both unacceptable acts.

“The waters of the Indo are the lifeguard for the 240 million people of Pakistan,” he said. “Under no circumstances can India be allowed to follow this dangerous path, which would be equivalent to an act of aggression against the people of Pakistan.”

Regarding economic cooperation, Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the need to improve trade and investment to boost regional connectivity. He pointed out that the Eco Commerce Agreement, agreed during the 13th Eco Summit in Islamabad in 2017, still does not implement despite the passage of considerable time.

He also addressed the devastating impact of climate change, citing the floods of 2022 that affected more than 33 million people, destroyed the infrastructure and caused economic losses greater than $ 30 billion.

The Premier urged regional collaboration to address climatic risks, proposing low -emission transport corridors, a regional carbon market and disaster resilience systems.

He also asked for a dedicated framework to mobilize climatic finances, develop clean energy corridors and promote ecotourism for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Condemning the recent Israeli attacks on Iran and the continuous violence in Gaza, Prime Minister Shehbaz described both as threats to regional peace.

Reiterating Pakistan’s position against violence and oppression worldwide, he said: “We are united against those who commit barbaric acts against innocent people, either in Gaza, Jammu and Kashmir of the illegally occupied Indians (Iiojk) or Iran,” he said.

The prime minister extended his gratitude to the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, for organizing the summit in Khankendi and recognized the efforts of the Eco Secretariat to advance regional cooperation.

He also thanked the people and the Azerbaijan government for their warm hospitality and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and development.

Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his appreciation because Lahore was appointed by the capital of ecological tourism by 2027, extending an invitation to all Member States to visit the cultural heart of Pakistan. More also, he congratulated Kyrguistan and Tayikistan for being selected for 2028 and 2029, respectively.

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The prime minister supported the strategic objective cooperation of Uzbekistan 2035, urging member states to join the global challenges and channel collective efforts towards economic prosperity and peace.

“Let’s join to face global challenges, direct our energies to the future and guarantee progress and prosperity for our people,” he said.

Established in 1985 by Iran, Türkiye and Pakistan, the Economic Cooperation Organization has expanded to include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tayikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The 10 -member block aims to promote economic, technical and cultural collaboration in the center and south of Asia and the Middle East.